Having spent the past year on the Sacramento County Grand Jury, I can confirm Superior Court Judge Steven Gevercer is right when he says the grand jury exists “to make government accountable.”
Being a juror carries the responsibility to investigate local government. The aim is to improve efficiency and effectiveness, and promote accountability and transparency.
Interested in becoming a grand juror? Online applications open Nov. 20 and run through December. There’s a formal interview process, which I’ll discuss in a minute.
In 2020, after struggling five years to secure financing, Sacramento County finally converted the former Courtyard Inn Motel in North Highlands to homeless housing. Today two new motel conversion projects targeted by the Board of Supervisors are expected to proceed at warp speed.
What changed?
California’s Homekey program. It provides funds to local governments to convert non-residential structures into homeless housing, which didn’t exist before 2020.
County staff is optimistic about the state funding application. If successful, the money requires completion of the conversion work within 12 months.
Bad Blood Supervisors don’t hide their disagreements By Howard Schmidt May 2023 Many matters before the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors result in unanimous consent. But the current five-member board sometimes finds itself divided. The board is nonpartisan, but...
Traveling via Sacramento International Airport has its frustrations.
There’s the wait for the people-mover train to reach your gate at Concourse B. When it arrives, you crowd into compartments with other passengers and risk exposure to COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
Then there’s the lack of parking near both terminals. And the need to ride a shuttle bus to rental car agencies.
Now Sacramento County’s Department of Airports is doing something to remedy the situation with a $1.3 billion expansion. Besides improving infrastructure, the goal is to enhance the airport experience and accommodate projected passenger growth.
There’s a new vibe at the County Board of Supervisors. Call it more civilized.
Rich Desmond became board chair in January, replacing Don Nottoli, who retired after 28 years in office. The newcomer is Pat Hume, a former Elk Grove City Council member. He won election to replace Nottoli.
Desmond’s accession, Hume’s arrival and Nottoli’s departure mean changes in style, philosophy and office space.
Sacramento County’s jail system is in trouble with the federal court. The Board of Supervisors is trying to figure out what to do.
In 2020, the county settled a lawsuit obligating it to remedy unconstitutional jail conditions. Among the required improvements are better mental health services and medical care, suicide prevention, out-of-cell time and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The court monitors progress with inspections every six months. Each report has found the county not in compliance due to staffing challenges and physical facility limitations.
